Back in April I sent Vader to the body shop for a much needed facelift that took about six and a half months from start to finish. Just in time for F-Body Beach Bash in Myrtle Beach, SC. I've been sitting on this idea since 2010 and was finally able to get it done. The overall design incorporates pieces from every generation of Firebird. That was important for the overall design of the car. There is still much work left to do, but the body is straight now.

During the body work, more was found than I knew about that was wrong with my car. The only thing I knew was the car had been involved in an accident which required a new rear passenger quarter, but it seems there was more that I didn't know about. Whomever did the initial repair on the car following the accident before I bought it really cut corners and did some crappy work. The good news is that is all fixed now.

Would love to see the photos, but you're going to have to get another photo host than Photobucket, or pay them their $399.00 fee to allow posting on forums like this.

I switched to Flickr. Free, a ridiculous amount of free photo storage (I cleaned out 3 Photobucket accounts, and moved those images to Flickr, and have used less than 1% of the space they give you), and it's so fast compared to the bucket, it's unbelievable.

Back in April I sent Vader to the body shop for a much needed facelift that took about six and a half months from start to finish. Just in time for F-Body Beach Bash in Myrtle Beach, SC. I've been sitting on this idea since 2010 and was finally able to get it done. The overall design incorporates pieces from every generation of Firebird. That was important for the overall design of the car. There is still much work left to do, but the body is straight now.

During the body work, more was found than I knew about that was wrong with my car. The only thing I knew was the car had been involved in an accident which required a new rear passenger quarter, but it seems there was more that I didn't know about. Whomever did the initial repair on the car following the accident before I bought it really cut corners and did some crappy work. The good news is that is all fixed now.

Here are some pictures of Vader's new look...

On the way home from the body shop...

F-Body Beach Bash...

MISC Shots...

Until you get set up with a different host, this should work for now. BTW........looks really good! I like your style lol......not over the top, but really makes it stand out!

Would love to see the photos, but you're going to have to get another photo host than Photobucket, or pay them their $399.00 fee to allow posting on forums like this.

I switched to Flickr. Free, a ridiculous amount of free photo storage (I cleaned out 3 Photobucket accounts, and moved those images to Flickr, and have used less than 1% of the space they give you), and it's so fast compared to the bucket, it's unbelievable.

Thanks for the info. I had a hell of a time trying to get those photos uploaded in PhotoBucket to begin with. I will definitely look into the Flicker account. I used to have one...just have to see if it is still active.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GTABill

Until you get set up with a different host, this should work for now. BTW........looks really good! I like your style lol......not over the top, but really makes it stand out!

Thanks Bill for the repost of the pictures!

I was trying to not go to drastic or over the top like I've seen on some cars. I tried to keep the modifications subtle and meaningful when I designed the car several years ago. I'm just glad that I am finally in a position that allowed me to show the car to everyone else the way I've seen it for years in my head.

The design incorporates bits from every generation of Firebird on it which was very important to me. The vents and Bird graphics from a Gen2 Trans AM, the rear side marker lights from a Gen1 Firebird, the hood from a Gen4 Trans AM, and a nod to the 2003 Heritage Trans AM that GM built (body matched tail filler panel between the tail lights.). The hood was modified to incorporate a heat extractor vent from a 2014-15 Camaro SS to help evacuate the heat from under the hood.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with how it all turned out and it's been getting a lot of attention.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DynoDave

They come in all sizes....all good!

Yes, the do. Our waitress was really cool and one of the more laid back ones there. That's why we went back to get pictures with her before we left.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MunsonGTA

The car looks great!

Thanks, Munson. I appreciate the kind words.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBlake

Hmmm. 77' T/A fender vents. Interesting concept. BTW, have you seen what full-on original 77' T/A's are going for these days? Amazing!

Yes, Jon. I have been keeping up with the prices. I REALLY, REALLY want a legit Y84 car some day. I've found some in NC, but just don't have the funds to get one right now. Spent it all on Vader and still more to go. I'm just afraid that by the time I get done with Vader, I may really not be able to afford one.

Yes, Jon. I have been keeping up with the prices. I REALLY, REALLY want a legit Y84 car some day. I've found some in NC, but just don't have the funds to get one right now. Spent it all on Vader and still more to go. I'm just afraid that by the time I get done with Vader, I may really not be able to afford one.

Thanks everyone.

Is the Y84 a code on the 77' T/A's too? What code is that for the 77's? I know on the third gens the Y84 is the code for the GTA package.

Is the Y84 a code on the 77' T/A's too? What code is that for the 77's? I know on the third gens the Y84 is the code for the GTA package.

Jon,

I believe the RPO for GTAs is Y87 and the Y84 code is for the S/E Trans AMs from 1976 through 1979. 1976 was the first year of the S/E Trans AM and it coincided with the 50th (?) anniversary of Pontiac. The S/E Trans AM was made famous in 1977 when Smokey and the Bandit came out. I sometimes get the two confused and may have them backwards, but I do know they are two different RPO codes though. There used to be a member on the forums that was helping Frankie out and he used the RPO code for the GTA as his screen name. I tried doing a search, but wasn't able to find anything.

I believe the RPO for GTAs is Y87 and the Y84 code is for the S/E Trans AMs from 1976 through 1979. 1976 was the first year of the S/E Trans AM and it coincided with the 50th (?) anniversary of Pontiac. The S/E Trans AM was made famous in 1977 when Smokey and the Bandit came out. I sometimes get the two confused and may have them backwards, but I do know they are two different RPO codes though. There used to be a member on the forums that was helping Frankie out and he used the RPO code for the GTA as his screen name. I tried doing a search, but wasn't able to find anything.

Well over the long holiday 'weekend" I did a little on-line research. What I read is the Y84 is the GTA package in the third gens, but also the Y84 is the special limited "Smokey and the Bandit" addition during about the years you mentioned. I'd have to guess the option came out after the movie did in 77'.

It would be interesting to know when they started using Y84 came out as an RPO for a black car with all the gold striping. As that was a package in at least '76, a full year and model update prior to the '77 used in the movie.